The holidays may be looking a little different this year, but our Holiday Burglary Suppression Detail (BSD) isn’t!
Our BSD has begun and will last through the holidays. Burglars beware, we’ve put together a team of officers who’ll be solely focusing on burglary enforcement efforts in our city. We may be out in full force attempting to prevent burglars from striking, but preventing thieves from victimizing our community takes teamwork and while we’re out doing our part, we ask that you do yours too.
Reduce chances of auto burglaries by practicing these tips:
• Don't leave valuables in your car. That sounds like "common sense", but drivers/passengers do leave items of value in plain view every day. If you leave valuable items visible in your car, your car is automatically a target.
•If you must leave valuable items in your car while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination or move them inconspicuously. This includes packages, backpacks, gym bags, GPS units, MP3 players, and so forth.
•Leave no trace. Don't leave any sign that there might be valuables out of sight in your vehicle, such as docking stations or connector cables.
•Lock ALL your vehicle's doors even if you plan to be gone for only a brief time. So often items are stolen from unlocked vehicles where the owner was only going to be gone "just for a second".
•Set any alarm or anti-theft device. If you have one, use it. Many people believe that car-alarms no longer make a difference, but they can be an effective deterrent to an auto-burglar, who most often chooses the easiest target.
Help reduce chances of porch pirates striking your treasure by practicing these tips:
•Have your packages delivered to a location where someone can receive them in-person. A neighbor or relative who is usually home, for example, or your workplace if your employer allows it.
•Use Smart Package Lockers or Convenience Store. To avoid your Amazon package being stolen from your front porch, use Amazon Locker. Amazon allows you to pick up your delivery in an Amazon Locker in selected locations across the country with a unique code, which you can punch into the machine to retrieve your package. Find a location near you here https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=6442600011.
•Encourage your neighbors to watch for deliveries and agree to secure each other’s packages. This includes being watchful for any strangers who are going onto porches for no apparent reason, or following delivery trucks.
•Ask the shipper to hold your package at their facility. Most offer this service.
•Track deliveries online. Many companies, including USPS, offer a text notification to your cell phone when a package has been delivered.
•Request a signature confirmation of delivery.
•Insure valuable items.
•Provide delivery instructions. If packages will be left while you are not home, try to have them left out of sight from the street.
•Consider installing a camera surveillance system. Many cameras include features, such as high-definition resolution and saved images, which can help law enforcement should an incident occur.
If you discover that your package has been stolen, or your car was broken into, you can report it online at https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/government/safety/services/reportcrime.htm or by calling a Desk Officer at 408-730-7110. If you see the crime in progress we ask that you use caution and do not approach the suspect(s), instead call 911. When calling 911 please keep in mind that it is important to give as much information as possible that describes the potential suspect(s), their vehicles, and direction of travel.
As a reminder, Sunnyvale DPS offers an Exchange Zone. The Exchange Zone is a specific space in our public parking lot (700 All America Way) for community members to conduct private party transactions and custody exchanges as an alternative to other meeting locations, such as a private residence or retail center parking lot. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. No reservations will be taken. The parking limit is 30 minutes.
Be safe and if you see something suspicious say something by calling us. 911 for emergencies, 408-730-7180 for non-emergencies, 408-730-7100 for general inquiries.
